Apparatus for reproducing photographic sound records



Feb. 23, 1932. OWENS 1,846,569

APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING PHOTOGRAPHIC SOUND RECORDS Filed June 18, 19292 Sheets-Sheet 1 \x. r (D o m a} G) a) ifivVENToR.

Feb. 23, 1932. F. H. OWENS 6,5

APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING PHOTOGRAPHIC SOUND RECORDS Filed June 18, 19292 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 l8 1, 7 & .1 34 1.9 a)

an v :1 36 A j w I 35 i 2;

IN V EN T OR. fen/m /t Owsws.

BY 4/ h as ATT. NEY

Fatented Feb. 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FREEMAN H. OW'ENS, OE NEWYORK, N. .Y.,

ASSIGNOB TO OWENS DEVELOPMENT COB/- POBATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ACORPORATION OF NEW YORK APPARATUS FOR RE PBODUCING PHOTOGRAP HIC SOUiN DRECORDS Application filed June 18,

This invention relates to an apparatus for recording and reproducingphotographic sound records, the .principal ob ect of the invention beingto provide, in combination with a film-threading and path-defining de-Vice, means automatically operated during the actuation of the''path-defining device for opening and closing the light and motorcircuits at the desired times.

Another and important object lies in the provision of means operable inconnection with the film threading means to prevent the operation of theapparatus until and unless the film is properly threaded and theapparatus ready for operation. More specifically, my invention relatesto an automatic switch control for a sound reproducing apparatus wherebywhen such apparatus is set in the threading position, the motor andreproducing light will be automatically turned off, thus preventingaccidental or inadvertent starting thereof. Likewise. there is providedmeans for automatically closing the circuit to the reproducing lamp andpartially closing the circuit to the motor when the threading has beencompleted and.the parts returned to operating position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic switchcontrol for the circuit of a service lamp which operates to light saidlamp when the parts are moved to operating position. v e

Other objects and advantages, of the invention will appear asthe'description proceeds.

In the drawings accompanying this specification,

Figure 1 is a partly sectionalside elevation of an apparatus embodyingthe features of the present invention; and a Figure 2 is adiagrammaticview illustrating the light and motor circuits and the means for openingand closing said circuits.

The same charactersof referencedesignate the same parts in both figuresof the drawings.

Although I have shown and will describe herein the application of myinvention to a Sound reproducing apparatus, it will be un- 1928. vSerial No. 371,810.

derstood that the same is equally applicable to a photographic soundrecording device.

The apparatus illustrated herein embodies a housing 1, in which housingare disposed a lens assembly 2'and a roller, film support housing 3similar to those described in detail in my co-pending application SerialNo. 360,875, filed May 6, 1929. lrVithin the housing 1 is also disposedthe path-defining and threading mechanism described in detail in myco-pending application Serial No. 371,- 808, filed June 18, 1929, andcomprising the sprockets 4 and 5, slide 6, operating rod 7, tensioninglever 8,1ever-operating slide 9 and segmental gear 10 for transmittingmotion to said latter slide, all operating in the manner described insaid application.

Thepresent invention has to do particularly with the provision of meanswhereby, when the loop defining mechanism is actuated the circuitsthrough the motor and the reproducing and service or threading lamps areautomatically controlled. The reproducing lamp 11 is disposed so thatits rays will pass through the lens assembly in the usual manner, whilethe service or threading lamp 12 is placed so that its rays will passthrough an opening 13 in a partition 14 in the hous in and thus serve toilluminate the pathdefining devices, a shield 15 being provided toprotect the eyes of the operator from the direct rays from said lamp.The circuits to the lamps and to the motor 16 are illustrateddiagrammatically in Figure 2, wherein the operating rod 7 is shown inits innermost or path-defining position, in which position the circuitto the threading lamp 12 must be closed while the circuits through themotor and reproducing lamp must be open. The circuit through thethreading or service lamp 12 includes a pair of terminals disposedwithin a box 17 mounted in the housing 1 in proximity to the o cratingrod 7, from which box projects a pivot switch lever 18 adapted whenmoved toward the right in Figure 2 to bridge said terminals and closethe circuit to the lamp 12 through conductors 19 and 20 and battery orother source of current 21. For operating the switch lever 18, a tripblock 22 is secured to the rod 7, said block desired a sprin being cutout at one of its side edges to form a palr of lugs 23 and 24, betweenwhich the free end of the switch lever 18 projects. It will be obviousthat when the rod 7 is pulled out or toward the left in Figure 2 the lug24 will rock the switch lever toward the left and thus open the circuitthrough lamp 12. i

The motor and reproducing lamp circuits include a pair of terminals 25and 26', which are adapted to be closed by blades 27 and 28 carried by aswitch lever 29, which lever may be pivoted through an opening 30.Secured on the operating rod 7 in spaced relation to the block 22 is asecond trip block 31, and the switch lever 29 is provided with abifurcated operating handle 32 which straddles the rod 7 between theblocks 22 and 31, whereby on movement of the operating rod toward theleft in Figure 2, the block 22 will swing the handle 32 over toward theleft, thus carrying the switch blades 27 and 28 into circuit closingcontact with the terminals 25 and 26, thereby closing the motor andreproducing circuits through lead wires 33,

34, 35, 36 and 37, and main conductors 38 and 39 to the source ofenergy. Inasmuch, however, as it is not desirable that the motor shallstart to operate at the very instant the lamp 11 is lighted, a manuallyoperable switch 40 is included in the motor circuit, whereby the saidcircuit may be maintained open during the operation of rod 7 to closethe reproducing lamp circuit.

It is believed that the operation of the device will be clear from-theforegoing. When the film is to be threaded, the operating rod 7 ispushed inward, thereby actuating the path-defining slide 6 andassociated parts as described in my co-pending application Serial No.371,808, filed June 18, 1929, hereinbefore referred to. The same inwardmovement of rod 7 causes the lug 23 to engage switch lever 18 and moveit toward the right in Figure 2, thus closing the circuit throughthreading lamp 12. 7

At the same time the block 31 engages the handle 32 of switch lever 29and throws it over toward the right, thus withdrawing switch blades 27and 28 from terminals 25 assesses through the apparatus, a reproducinglamp, 2. threading lamp for illuminating the defined'path, means foroperating said pathdefining means, and means actuated bysaid operatingmeans to open the circuit to the reproducing lamp and close the circuitto. the threading lamp during movement of said path defining means tooperative position and to close the reproducing lamp circuit and openthe threading lamp circuit durin the return movement of the path-.de ingmeans to inoperative position. 1

2. In a photographic sound reproducing apparatus, the combination ofmeans for supporting a traveling sound record, movable means fordefining the path of said record through the apparatus, a reproducinglamp, a threading lamp for illuminating the defined path, a drivinmotor, a reciprocable rod for operating sai path-defining means,switches disposed in the circuits of the threadin and reproducing lampsand the motor, an trip members carried by said reciprocable rod andadapted to actuate the threading lamp switch into circuit-closingposition and the reproducing lamp and motor switch into open positionduring movement of the path-defining means to operative position and tooperate the reproducing lamp and motor switch into closed position andthe threading lamp switch into open position during movement of thepath-defining meansto inoperative position.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my si 'nature.

FREEMAN H. owhNs.

and 26 and thereby opening the motor and I reproducing lamp circuits.The manually operated switch 40 is then thrown so as to maintain themotor circuit open when switch lever 29 is operated into circuit-closingposition by the return or pull action of the rod 7. Of course, it willbe obvious that if may be provided in connection with bot of the switchlevers 18 and 32 for snapping them over into circuit-closing and openingpositions.

I- claim:

1. In a photographic sound reproducing apparatus, the combination ofmeans for supporting a traveling sound record, movable means fordefining the path of said record

